I need some honest opinions about living in NYC

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 1:17pm

One of my friends in Italy is considering a move to NYC. He's an architect who speaks some English but is not fluent.

He would like to know how much his monthly costs would be in NYC--apartment, food, etc. I can't really help him because I live on Long Island and own my home. I figure that many people here are apartment dwellers and have some idea of what kind of budget my friend will have to have.

Please give serious answers here. Mille grazie!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 2:01pm

Finding a job, friends and an apartment to live in NYC is harder than everywhere else in the USA. If he expects to live in the Sex and The City world, NYC isn't that, unless you are rich and you have a lot of true friends and connexions.
If he has a lot of money in the bank, a great degree and experience in his field, is willing to work alot and basically have no free time, then I say, go for it.
If his English is limited it will make things even harder for him. Does he have a Green Card?
When I moved to the city, I had ALOT of savings, that's how I survived, and it took me months to get a job being an American citizen(although I was born and raised in another country)

[SNAFU]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 2:01pm

If he is planning on moving to Manhattan he can figure on a rent for a small one bedroom running from $1,800.00 a month to $2,800 a month and upwards. If he moves out to Brooklyn or Queens he might find something larger for that price or perhaps something the same size for a little less.

Food in Manhattan in the grocery stores tend to be on the High side. There are Farmers markets around town and stores in China Town where produce can be bought at a cheaper price. I would say I spend around $250-$300 a month at the grocery store.

Normal electric usage for a small one bedroom runs about $120-$180 depending on weather, air conditioning etc.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 3:00pm

Thank you very much. Please keep the comments coming!

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 4:04pm

I posted here a few months ago that I was relocating to NYC due to the economy and not being able to find a job in Denver. I am here now. (Stayig with a friend in Secaucus until I get more on my feet and find a place to live) I found a part time job and am looking for full time work. In talking with an employment agency that is working on finding me a day job, unemployment in NY is high but for what I do, there are jobs out there. (I am an exec. Admin.) So jobs can be found. She said there are actually a lot of office jobs out there. The people I will be working with at my part time job have said they have had no problem finding day jobs. With that said, I don't think they are working in offices so there are other jobs available.

While staying in PA and looking at apartments I decided that I was going to look for a place in Jersey City. The rent is cheaper and you have easy access to the city from most areas. I figure I will live here for a year or two and then look into a place in Manhattan. I have been looking at studios in Manhattan and they have been going for $1,200 to 1,500 a month. The area I was looking in was mostly up around 77th & 1st. In the area's I have looked at in Jersey City, rents were around $800 a month.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 6:27pm

I'd ask the same questions. Also, does he want to live in Manhattan or in an outer borough? Manhattan, even the less desirable areas, are very expensive. A studio in a decent neighborhood would probably start at $1500 a month, not including utilities. Things he should think about are what area he wants, if he wants a doorman, and if he wants an elevator. Cheaper areas in Manhattan are anything above the Columbia area (Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood), Spanish/East Harlem, and Hell's Kitchen. It's often quicker to get to midtown from Queens than Inwood.

In terms of outer boroughs, most people end up in Queens or Brooklyn. In Queens, Astoria, Long Island City, and Sunnyside are most peopular. In Brooklyn, Williamsburgh, Dumbo, Sunset Park, Park Slope, and Bushwick are popular. These areas vary by price and safety.

NYC is not cheap. Outer boroughs, plus Jersey City are common alternatives.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 9:14pm

I live in Astoria and pay a bit under 1200 for a large one bedroom and the utilities run between 70-90 bucks depending on the season. It's about 20 minutes on the subway from midtown.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/7/11 at 10:23pm

Thanks for all this feedback. Please keep it coming. I'll be sending it off to Pietro in a few days.

It looks as though he'll be staying with me out here on Long Island until he gets himself situated. I'd welcome that. He'll be great company.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 3:14am

What part of Italy is your friend from? My old roommate is Napolitan. It didn't take her long to master the language, but she was living in New Jersey with her aunt, uncle and two cousins her age, all who insisted on speaking only in English when she was around. Living here is expensive, but I would say your main concern will be getting the proper documentations to work. My old roommate is lucky enough that she has duel citizenship, so she never had to worry about visas, etc. Some friends of hers however, were living here for over a year, and had been working, but when it came time for their visas to be renewed, they were denied. So back to Italy they have to go.

I live in a tiny three bedroom share in Washington Heights, which I adore. Our rent is 1750 a month, divided by the three of us and the utilities run about $45 a person. Personally, I love having roommates (but I've always had AMAZING care-taking roomies.) Not being from New York, it was a way to build of a family away from home. So I love the company.

I've also lived in Jersey City, which is definitely another option. Our rent for a two bedroom was 1300. But mind you, we had a HUGE walk in closet. You do get more bang for your buck (bigger apartments), but I factored in PATH/Bus fare, and safety and found I was better off in Manhattan (although travel time to say midtown is probably about the same for both). I've been trying to get my old roomie to move into Manhattan with me for years, but she adores Jersey City!

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 2:31pm

If he is interested in cheaper rents, he should also know that MANY middle income people are now living in Inwood, Washington Heights, Astoria, Woodside/Sunnyside for inexpensive rents. I live in Sunnyside, its a half hour by train to Times Square on the 7 and large one bedrooms run about $1300.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/8/11 at 4:20pm

Again, I am thankful for all the input you folks have so kindly given.

I'm going to forward to him all your suggestions and then make one of my own: that he come here for two weeks--or maybe even a month--and stay with me. We'll take trips into the city and he'll be able to get a better grasp on what the living conditions are & what his employment possibilities are. After that visit, he can return to Italy and think things over before making a final decision.

I'm doing all I can to help him. He's really one of the finest people I've ever met and I don't want him to be disappointed or financially ruined.

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/9/11 at 11:49am

I am a huge proponent of Astoria living. I've been much, much happier since I moved from Manhattan to Astoria three years ago, and my bank account has certainly been a lot happier too. I rent a large two-bedroom apartment on a quiet residential street for $1600 a month, plus utilities. (In Manhattan, an apartment this size would run upwards of $3000) My utilities are usually between $100-200 a month. My neighborhood is very friendly and residential--some of the families have been living there for decades--and nearly everything (restaurants, groceries, etc) is cheaper than their Manhattan equivalents. I'm a ten minute walk from the subway and fifteen minutes into Manhattan by train.

My quality of living has GREATLY improved since my move. In Manhattan, I was living hand-to-mouth. In Astoria, I have a gorgeous apartment that I can actually afford, and most of the money I save can be applied to doing things I actually enjoy--going to the theatre; going out to dinner with friends; weekend trips every now and then, etc.

So, tell your friend to seriously consider Astoria! It's a beautiful place to call home.

Updated On: 3/9/11 at 11:49 AM